Breast width of 12cm. Advised max implant is 270cc. Will this be too small?

Question

I'm 5"6.5, 135lbs, athletic build. Wanting the "natural in clothes, kinda fake in a bikini" look. My BWD is 12 am told the max I can go is270cc HPMentor to achieve the upper pole fullness and slight side boob I am after. I'm worried they will be too small on my frame as I want a full C cup. a diff surgeon I saw earlier recommended a 330cc Polytech implant which is 12.8cm wide. Is putting in an implant wider than the BW too risky when it comes to the risk of rippling etc? I'm currently a 34AA

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this: 
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you. Also, just FYI, each surgeon's measurements are slightly different, so numbers, experience, and overall aesthetic from one surgeon aren't necessarily the same as those from another surgeon!

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

270 cc implants are modest size implants.Truthfully, this is a very difficult question
to answer without an in-person examination.That being said, it is probably best to return to your plastic surgeon
to double check the implant size.Best
of luck.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The best way
to determine the size that fits your personal perception of the perfect breast
is to try on sizers. This way you can see how they fit on you, how they add to
your current volume, and whether they fit your frame. Although the surgeon can
guide you, only you will be able to tell what is the right size. Try on sizers.
 HP implants, which are a more modern shape than moderate profile
implants, fit most women better. They have a more appropriate base diameter for
the average women's chest.  Mentor HP profile saline implants have base
diameters that range from 8.8 cm (very narrow) to 13.8 cm (moderately wide).
 The majority of women in my practice have base diameters in the 11 to 13
cm range.  The HP implants fit them well.  The moderate implants have
much wider base diameters for the same volume (often in the 14 to 15.6 cm
range).  These implants are too wide for most women that I treat.  So
when the base diameter is measured and correlated with the diameter of the
implant, it is most often necessary to use HP implants to achieve the volume
the patient is requesting.  At the volume selected, my patient's base
diameters are too small for moderate profile implants. Measuring a diameter and
then telling the patient what volume they can have (in high, moderate or
moderate plus implants) in my mind is backwards.  The patients should be
allowed to choose the volume.  Then the surgeon carefully considers the
base diameter, projection, profile, manufacturer, and fill material that will
achieve the patients goals of size as well as qualitative look (natural,
intermediate, or bold upper pole fullness or projection), all the while taking
into consideration the patient's anatomic features that will affect the
outcome. HP implants can be made to look very natural or very augmented,
depending on where in the range the implants are filled to achieve a particular
volume. At the low end of the fill range, HP implants do not have the upper
pole fullness that most people associate with the fake look. On the other hand,
a fake over-augmented look can be created with a moderate profile implant if it
is overfilled (a common practice for surgeons that commonly use moderate
profile implants). In addition, too wide an implant will put the volume past
the anterior axillary fold (side boob), which in my opinion, looks more fake
than upper pole fullness.  So there are many factors that need to be
considered.  The experience of the surgeon and the degree to which they
explain the options to you is of utmost importance. The subtlety in the final outcome
is not achieved by which profile implant is used, it is determined by the skill
in the creation of the pocket, the choice of volume, and where in the range the
implant is filled. A 270 cc implant will be very small for your base diameter.  This is a complex decision however, which you need to make with the help of the surgeon.  There is no max.  If that is what you are being told, you need to seek out more opinions.

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there. Thanks for asking your question.  From the base dimension that you described 270cc sounds a bit on the small side but the profile choice will help. The 12.8 cm is reasonable for your BA but if the implant base diameter is much larger it can set you up for potential complications (double-bubble, breast tissue atrophy etc. ) Good luck with your surgery. Be well. Dr. Burnett

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question but, despite your good description of goals, online consultants will not be able to provide you with specific enough advice to be truly helpful. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, the use of in bra sizers, and computer imaging)  will be critical.
Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering  breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:
1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully.  Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals  with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining  breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as  “natural” or "full C cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.  Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.
3.  Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly,  allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals.  Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery,  after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.
I hope this (and the attached link, dedicated to breast  augmentation surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I usually place an implant that is at the base width or slightly larger  in most cases.  It really depends upon the individual anatomy and the goals of the patient.

Robert Graper, MD · Answer

If you use Allergan 410 style shaped implants you could go in a range of 280-335cc with the MM or MF respectively. 410 style implants fit your body like a glove does. Their philosophy generally produces a C cup depending on how much breast tissue you start with.  Standard gel implants would alllow you to go to a higher volume. Perhaps as high as 375cc but on your frame that sounds too much. obviously I can not be more accurate in this situation so see a board certified plasatic surgeon. good luck.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Without examining you, I cannot tell you what size would be best. I do have my patients try on sizers that are appropriate for their chest to see what size they like. I would suggest going back to one of your surgeons, and try on each size.

Raymond Jean, MD · Answer

The best way I have found to size implants is the Mentor sizing system which I feel gives the closest estimation to what your breasts will look like after surgery.  It is difficult to tell without examining you a size recommendation. I determine size in conjunction with the patient. I recommend a size range and work with the patient using the sizing system.  I would be cautious about using a breast implant that is wider than your base width.  I have not heard of polytech implants. Please make sure your surgery is performed by a board certified Plastic Surgeon you can find one at ASPS.

Breast width of 12cm. Advised max implant is 270cc. Will this be too small?

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